Wednesday Update

I can't believe it is 10:00 and I am just now getting around to updating the blog! Today we got a call about 9:40 that we had an appointment with the surgeon at 10:00! Well, needless to say, we threw ourselves together and got to the hospital as quick as we could. We soon found out that patience is indeed necessary here as we waited nearly 4 hours to see the doctor! I don't know how sitting around can drain you that much, but it certainly does. We were all just worn out by the end of the day.

We saw Dr. Myers and he was very nice, effecient and informative. He like the other doctors just wanted to lay eyes on him, go over his history (again without notes and very impressive!) and ask a few questions. Also, like the other doctors, he couldn't really answer many of our questions because he hasn't had his scans done yet and until they see the most recent ones, they do not like to give any opinions. He did recommend that dad see a speech pathologist to help with talking and swallowing better. He also suggested that we meet with the pain managemnet team to go over all of his medications to make sure that he needs to be on all that he is on and how to best manage his pain while not completely knocking him out. I am especially excited about this. I just think there has to be some way to manage the many side effects and radiation treatments without feeling so sluggish. Dad really wants to feel some strength coming back. He is tired of being tired! Although Dr. Myers stated that any type of surgery is not likely, he would not rule it out until the team of doctors and surgeons meet to discuss his case after the scans. He made it clear that from a medical standpoint it is very unlikely that they can "cure" him from this cancer, but that they are here to meet, put their heads together and see what they can do to keep the cancer from spreading and halt it. Also, to do what they know to do to increase his weight, energy level and general well being at the same time. I would be very pleased if that is the solution they present to us on Monday. Whatever they decide in their best medical opinions, we will be grateful and know that God is in control! I still believe that God can heal dad and he can be one of the medical examples they talk about for a long time here! Wouldn't that be awesome?

We were able to move from the Hampton Inn to the Rotary House today and it is like a dream! The entire hotel operated by Marriott caters to cancer patients and I can't say enough nice things about the place. Dad has a recliner, plenty of blankets, room service any time of day with any food he desires..(like Eggs Benedict at 8pm!), several full service resteraunts, shuttles to all the clinics and a direct walkover to the main building where the Head and Neck center is located. It is great. There are kiosk throughout the building where you can print your doctor appointment schedule at any time and check for any changes and/or updates. They had a glorious praise choir singing in the atrium today with songs like "Oh Happy Day, You Are My Sunshine and Lean on Me." The whole place was clapping and singing before it was all over. Just amazing. On a great note for me..My FaceTime actually worked on the wifi here (it didn't at the Hampton) and I got to see Stephen and my babies while talking to them tonight. It was the best!!!

Tomorrow is scan day. LIFT him up!

Love,

Michelle